Tommy Fleetwood is gearing up for a thrilling showdown at the BMW PGA Championship, fueled by an electrifying surge of inspiration from Rory McIlroy’s recent triumph at the Amgen Irish Open. McIlroy dazzled spectators with a stunning performance, carding scores of 71, 66, 68, and 66 to finish at an impressive 17-under par. Now, Fleetwood sets his sights on achieving his own spectacular victory on home turf.
In an exhilarating pre-tournament press conference, Fleetwood expressed his deep desire to win in front of the passionate English crowd. “Again, being at home and playing in front of home crowds, and I guess as a goal and a dream, you always picture those moments. The crowd is such a huge part of it and the emotional aspect of it. Yeah, winning on home soil is very special,” he declared, clearly moved by the thought of competing where he feels most at home. He went on to reflect on McIlroy’s win, saying, “Look at last week. I think that was one of the coolest things to watch, and what a special moment that was. Pictured myself winning on the 18th green many, many times.”
For Fleetwood, the stakes are high. He hails from Southport, a location that frequently hosts major tournaments, and he views this as an integral part of his golfing dreams. “Ultimate dream, I’m from Southport, I’ve got Open Championships that come close to home every few years, and like that is like the most powerful image for me,” he shared, underscoring how the energy of the home crowd plays a pivotal role in his aspirations. “So home crowds are a huge part of what we dream of and having opportunities, so yeah, that can be another one to add to the list of things that I haven’t done yet but I’ll continue to try.”
Fleetwood’s recent history on the DP World Tour paints a promising picture. His last victory came in 2024 at the Dubai Invitational, where he finished at a remarkable 19-under par. He has consistently demonstrated his talent, achieving three additional top-10 finishes that year. Notable performances included a T3 at the Acciona Open de España, a T6 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and a commendable third-place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
As he looks to the 2025 season, his only appearance on the DP World Tour thus far was at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where he ended up tied for 21st with a score of 5-under. However, his prowess shone through on the PGA Tour, where Fleetwood delivered standout performances. His crowning achievement was at the Tour Championship, where he clinched victory with an astonishing 18-under, outpacing Patrick Cantlay by three strokes at the iconic East Lake Golf Club.
His momentum didn’t stop there; he also showcased his skills at the Travelers Championship, finishing T2 after scoring 14-under and pocketing a hefty $1.76 million in prize money, narrowly missing out on the trophy to Keegan Bradley, who finished at 15-under. Additionally, Fleetwood secured another T3 finish at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he faced a narrow defeat to Justin Rose, who won by a single shot.
With the BMW PGA Championship on the horizon, Tommy Fleetwood is not just competing; he’s on a mission to fulfill his dream of winning at home. As he prepares for this pivotal tournament, the echoes of McIlroy’s recent victory resonate deeply, propelling Fleetwood to strive for greatness against the backdrop of his beloved English fans. The stage is set, and the anticipation is palpable. Will Fleetwood rise to the occasion and deliver an unforgettable moment in front of his home crowd?